Share This Story!

Washington Monument reopens to public after 2 years

WASHINGTON — Today is the day that visitors can set foot inside the Washington Monument, nearly three years after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake closed it for repairs. Before about 1,800 members of public, who had

Before about 1,800 members of public, who had to get free tickets, will be allowed to walk in the doors at 1 p.m. ET, the National Park Service is having a reopening ceremony that started at 10 a.m.

"We're so excited to welcome the public back to the monument," Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles with the National Park Service said Monday.

Visitors will be able to examine new exhibits on the top floor of the 555-foot structure, including a new exhibit telling the story of Gen. George Washington, who later became the United States' first president.

"They just finished getting them installed at 3 in the afternoon on Friday," Anzelmo-Sarles said. "You can still smell the glue drying."

The epicenter of Aug. 23, 2011, earthquake that damaged the iconic obelisk was about 90 miles southwest of Washington but caused more than 150 cracks in the monument's marble. Crews assessed the damage in September 2011, created a report on what needed fixing and for the past two years construction workers have been mending the marble and reinforcing weak spots.

The project was completed on time and within budget, thanks to a $7.5 million donation from financier David Rubenstein that was matched with money from Congress, Anzelmo-Sarles said.

Original construction on the Washington Monument was begun in 1848 but stopped in 1854 when donations ran out. It resumed in 1879, after the Civil War, and the monument was dedicated on Feb. 21, 1885, the day before the former president's actual birthday.

Tickets for entry Monday were snapped up, but others can get their tickets onlinestarting Tuesday.

"Folks can walk up. They can touch the stone, feel that marble and get in the elevator and get up to the top," Anzelmo-Sarles said. "See the incredible view of the city. It's unmatched."

The Washington Monument is seen through a wide angle lens May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights, is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: Steven Avilla wears a Washington monument costume as he greets visitors to the monument, May 12, 2014 on the ground of the monument in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument was reopened after it has been closed for a restoration due to damage caused by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Washington, DC area on August 23, 2011 (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Photo: Mark Wilson Getty Images)

Student Eddie Ackerman does a handstand at the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights ,is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

Students lie down to takes pictures at the base of the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights ,is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

Students lie down to takes pictures at the base of the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights ,is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: Philanthropist David David Rubenstein looks at the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 on the ground of the monument in Washington, DC. Mr. Rubenstein matched the federal funding of $7.5 million to repair the monument that was damaged by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Washington, DC, area on August 23, 2011 (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Photo: Mark Wilson Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: A Military Honor Guard participates in the reopening ceremony at the Washington Monument, May 12, 2014 Washington, DC. The Washington Monument was reopened after it has been closed for a restoration due to damage caused by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Washington, DC, area on August 23, 2011 (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Photo: Mark Wilson Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: George and Martha Washington impersonators attend the Washington Monument reopening ceremony May 12, 2014 Washington, DC. The Washington Monument was reopened after it has been closed for a restoration due to damage caused by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Washington, DC area on August 23, 2011 (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Photo: Mark Wilson Getty Images)

A reenactor portraying first US President George Washington looks on May 12, 2014 during re-opening ceremonies at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights, is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

School girls sit at the base of the Washington Monument May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights, is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)

The Washington Monument is seen behind the US flag May 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument, one of the US capital's most recognizable sights, is set to re-open Monday, three years after sustaining damage from a rare earthquake.The popular tourist attraction is the US capital city's tallest building at 555 feet (170-meters). The obelisk, built in honor of the first US president, George Washington, was closed after engineers found 150 cracks in the structure following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia in August 2011. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: KAREN BLEIER AFP/Getty Images)